USDOT will not enforce Biden wheelchair passenger protection rule

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Transportation Department said on Monday that it will not enforce key provisions of a Biden administration rule issued in December requiring new consumer protections for disabled passengers using wheelchairs.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and airline trade group Airlines for America filed suit in February challenging the rule that set stricter standards for accommodating passengers with wheelchairs and requires carriers to reimburse passengers for damage to wheelchairs.

USDOT said it is writing a new rule and will not enforce the requirements imposing airline liability for mishandled wheelchairs through at least December 2026.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Mark Porter)